Typology of culture

Typology is the method of scientific knowledge, based on the dismemberment of the system of objects and their grouping using the generalizing model. The need for applying this method appears in those cases when it is necessary to solve the problem of an ordered explanation and description of a set of objects that are dissimilar in composition.

The typology of culture is a qualitative-content characteristic of the existence of culture. This is expressed in concrete historical forms: religious, ethno-national, regional-territorial and others.

The typology of culture is considered one of the topical and debatable issues in modern theory. The definition of status, semantic content is predetermined by the main principle, according to which the context of spiritual values is analyzed and the most common qualities are determined.

The historical typology of culture has different foundations and directions. The authors of the concepts were sociologists, philosophers, field ethnographers, artists, practitioners and theoreticians. In the study, the typology of culture began to be applied widely in the 18-19 centuries. Then the scientists were keen on finding a single plan.

As a result of the development of a complex theoretical construction, by the end of the 19th century a view of the type was established. In accordance with it, a Marxist system was formed. Weber developed a method for determining ideal types. And in American sociology began to spread the method of construction.

The typology of culture, as a scientific method, is based on the determination of the difference and similarity of the objects under study. The goal is to show the patterns of structuring and development of the modeled system. In the basis of the typological principle, which sets the direction of theoretical research.

The basic principles include: formational, conceptual, civilized, religious, regional-territorial, demographic and others. They are singled out in accordance with the spiritual and value orientation, religious conviction, the nature of relationships with nature, classical patterns, the systemic values and others.

The most widespread in the domestic science is the formational approach. This principle indicates a connection with the dominant production method. In other words, what is the mode of production, such is culture: capitalist, slave-owning, primitive communal, and so on.

A civilizational approach is used by many authors. His interpretation depends on the understanding of the term "civilization". Analyzing the culture in accordance with this principle, many authors come to the conclusion about the negative impact of civilizational processes.

The conceptual principle makes it possible to conduct research in accordance with the prevailing worldview.

In accordance with the religious principle, culture is divided into the ancient and the one in which one of the forms of the religions of the world (Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and others) is state. In other words, the classification is carried out in accordance with two directions of belief: monotheism and polytheism.

In accordance with the regional-territorial principle, an analysis of culture is carried out according to the characteristic community of features that are inherent in a particular region.

According to the demographic principle, features and generalities of sexual and age characteristics are revealed. In addition, the population density, composition, number and employment are taken into account.

The most settled and widespread is the cultural-historical principle. In accordance with it, the forms of the most common, essential spiritual values are determined. Today there are several historical types of European culture. The most ancient are natural-symbolic values.

Typology of political culture is carried out in accordance with the established state regime, ways of implementing power, the views of society on the structure of power and other things.